Time Out for a “Beauty Treatment”

I can spend a lot of time and money trying to make myself beautiful and attractive.

My trip to the beauty salon is no short encounter, sometimes up to three hours. The time (and money) I spend getting dolled up is no comparison to my husband’s trip to the barber. Seriously, my husband can probably receive ten haircuts for the price of a cut, color and manicure! Ouch!

Why do we as women choose to spend hours and money on our beauty treatments? Let’s be honest, our beauty defines us. We find favor with our husbands, our significant others, and even our female friends in the way we appear.

It is a sacrifice to look beautiful!

Esther was a woman in the Bible who was required to have 12 months of beauty treatments before she could enter the king’s presence. The king wanted to appoint a new Queen but all the young virgins were required to go through extensive beauty treatments before they could enter his presence. Esther ultimately won the favor of the king and she was crowned as the royal Queen.

“Now the king was attracted to Esther more than any other women, and she won favor and approval more than any other virgin.” Esther 2:17 (NIV)

Queen Esther was part of God’s unfolding plan. There was a plot to kill all the Jews and because of Esther’s favor with the King, she helped preserve her people. She risked her life and displayed an increment amount of courage, instead of fear, by speaking up to the king even when not permitted. Not an easy task for a woman in those days, as women had no rights nor even a voice.

“I will go to the King, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish,” Esther 4:16 (NIV)

Esther was one courageous woman!

How was Esther successful at winning the Kings heart? She willingly took a time out. Twelve months to be exact! She prepared herself for this un-daunting task. I imagine she planned, prayed, prepared, and I’m sure lots character building in the process. Her success didn’t just happen overnight! There must of been some serious facial masks, cleansing and plucking of the eyebrows in preparing to meet the king!

Time outs can be a difficult process for you and I. Often times, a time out involves some form of character building and for most of us, this is an uncomfortable place. God may be revealing areas we need to change or sin we need to repent. However, unless we go through the required treatment process, favor may not be granted.

I had to recently take a time out in my ministry in exchange for a beauty treatment. Like Esther, I needed to prepare myself for what was to come. If not, consequences were at stake. God needed to refine rusty areas in my heart and create a pure heart. A beauty treatment was necessary in order for me to get my priorities back on track.

Are you in the midst of a beauty treatment? Be patient God is preparing you for what is to come….great and mighty things. Are you noticing a beauty treatment on the horizon? Don’t resist it. Otherwise one day you may regret it!

We can all learn from Queen Esther. She displayed an incredible amount of courage because of her obedience to take a time out to pray, plan, prepare and most importantly, the willingness to be refined.